Natural remedies for tan removal: 15 recipes that work wonders

Do you have arms and feet that are darker than most of your body? Do you have an uneven skin tone? Well, this could be a result of sun exposure. The harsh rays of the sun can affect your skin in multiple ways. A suntan can cause ageing, fine lines and more. Fret not, Sarayu Reddy gives you seven home ingredients and recipes from the kitchen to remove suntan and give you bright glowing skin. 

WHAT IS TAN?

Tanning is a process where the colour of your skin darkens. It is a result of exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. When skin gets exposed to UV rays and get into a protection mode. The melanin from melanocytes is transferred to keratinocytes, which are the outermost layer of skin. As a protective mechanism, the melanin pigment stops UV rays from further cell damage. People with lighter skin cannot produce more melanin; the produced amount of melanin is not enough which causes a skin burn.

HOW TO TELL IF YOU HAVE A TAN OR NOT

If the colour of the parts of your body that are exposed to sunlight are darker than the unexposed part of your body then you know you have a tan. Lighter shades tend to be more burned than tan and darker shades are less likely to burn but more likely to tan.

CAUSES OF SKIN TAN

Tanning naturally or artificially has a lot of damage to your skin. Tanning is proof of DNA injury to your skin. It damages your skin and speeds up the ageing of the skin.

There are two main causes of Tanning-

UVA EXPOSURE:

UV rays are classified according to wavelength UVA is the longest. UVA rays have the least energy. They affect the inner cells of the skin including the dermis. Immediate tanning and sunburn are the short-term effects of these rays. Premature ageing and wrinkles are long-term effects. Sunlight and tanning beds are the main sources.

UVB EXPOSURE:

UVB rays are medium wavelengths. UVB rays have medium energy. They affect the topmost layer of skin. Delayed tanning, sunburn and blisters are short-term effects of these rays. Skin cancer and premature ageing are long-term effects. UV lights, mercury lamps and welding machines are some of the main sources.

ROLE OF SUNSCREEN

Excessive sun exposure disrupts the DNA and ages the skin. Excessive or long exposure to the sun may cause skin cancer. You need to take precautionary measures to avoid all this on a sunny day. The most effective and commonly used is sunscreen. Sunscreens lower the effect of UV rays on the skin. There are different sunscreens with different SPF numbers. SPF number is the percentage of effect it has on the UVB rays. We commonly use SPF 30. Sunscreen with more SPF acts stronger against the UV rays. It is suggested to use sunscreen regularly even on a rainy or cold day. Use sunscreen, which has an effect against both UVA and UVB rays.

HOME REMEDIES TO REMOVE TAN:

IMPORTANT: Do not use these ingredients if you are allergic to the following ingredients.

Contact your dermatologist in case of irritation.

1. Lemon juice:

Cut a lemon and rub it on your tan skin for a few minutes and wash it off. The citric acid in lemon breaks the dead cells caused by tanning and make the skin clear and glowing.

2. Cucumber juice, lemon and rose water

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and apply it to your affected skin. Cucumber has a cooling effect on the skin, which soothes it, and vitamin c helps keep it refreshed and moisturised.

3. Turmeric and milk:

Mix a small amount of turmeric and milk until it makes a paste apply it to your skin and let it dry. Turmeric is a great antioxidant that helps in recovering the damaged skin and it also makes your skin lighter. It acts as a DIY moisturiser cleanser.

4. Orange juice and yoghurt

Mix one tablespoon of orange juice to yoghurt, apply it and leave it for 30 mins before washing it off. The vitamin c in orange juice will give your skin cells a boost and helps remove the tan and yoghurt will give your skin a glow and moisturise it.

5. Tomato extract and curd

Mix one tablespoon of both tomato extract and curd in a bowl and make it a paste apply it to your skin and leave it on for a few minutes before washing it off. Vitamin c in tomatoes helps lighten the skin and removes the dead cells slowly meanwhile the cooling agent curd, moisturises the skin and lightens it. The curd also helps in healing the burnt skin.

6. Sandalwood and coconut water

Mix sandalwood and coconut water thoroughly and apply to the affected area. Wash off after it gets dry. The natural oils in sandalwood help remove the tan and it also helps soothe sunburn and has a cooling effect. It removes the redness from the skin.

7. Milk cream and strawberry

Mash the strawberries and add milk cream to them and apply to the affected areas and give it 30 minutes before washing it off. The strawberries have alpha-hydroxy acids and vitamin c in them, which helps remove the tan, and the cream helps in softening the skin.

8.Buttermilk and Oats

These are two versatile ingredients that not only help in detoxing your body but also treat skin damage.

Application:

• Blend 2 tablespoons of oats in 1⁄2 cup of water with 2-3 teaspoons of raw, unsweetened buttermilk. 
• You may also incorporate honey to enhance the pack to become extra hydrating.
• Massage the solution on your skin and apply across all the tanning-affected regions. 
• Allow it to sit for roughly 20 minutes and scrub in a circular pattern. Remove to uncover fresher, luminous skin.

Why does this work?

Before you learn how to remove a tan from your face, you must know how these ingredients work effectively in removing suntan. Oatmeal has scrubbing and cleaning capabilities that are second to none. Buttermilk contains lactic acid, which helps to eliminate tan, soothe the skin, and enhance skin complexion.

9. Milk and Saffron

This technique boasts of being capable of removing tan from your face within a single day!

Application:

• Immerse several saffron threads in milk for a while. 
• Use this milk to treat the afflicted regions. 
• Saffron could be put in cream rather than milk to moisturize the skin.

Why does this work?

Saffron is an attractive element in the Indian family of spices. Saffron is an organic element that helps achieve radiant skin. It is also used to enhance skin’s elasticity, cure conditions such as discolouration, eye bags, acne, and blemishes, and soften darker skin.

10.Turmeric and Sandalwood

A remedy from ancient times, this mask will undeniably work on treating suntan, whilst also helping with skin whitening. 

Application:

• Sandalwood powder may be used on the face as a solution or in a mask by combining it with milk or coconut milk. 
• Turmeric can be incorporated into the mix to increase its efficacy in eliminating tan.

Why does this work?

This is one of the best ways to remove tan from your face because sandalwood provides calming and refreshing characteristics that bring comfort to sunburned skin. The therapeutic effects of turmeric and the exfoliant characteristics of milk function effectively when combined to erase tan.

11.Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is one such ingredient that lightens up the skin and body internally as well as externally.

Application:

• Dip a cotton swab soaked in healthy and natural coconut milk all around your face. 
• Keep it on until it is entirely soaked into the epidermis or dried. Use a gentle cleanser to remove it.

Why does this work? 

Coconut milk is extremely nutritious and moisturising to the skin. It aids in the restoration of depleted moisture. It contains Vitamin C and gentle acids, which aid in the eradication of tanning from the comfort of your home.

12.Milk and Rice Flour

One among many ingredients that serve to repair skin is rice flour. The procedure for a rice flour scrub is mentioned below. 

Application:

• Mix milk and rice flour in equal proportions until it forms the consistency of a paste.
• Gently massage the prepared paste onto your face and neck in a circular motion.
• Leave it on for around 45-60 minutes and wash it with lukewarm water.

Why does this work?

Rice flour is known for its whitening properties that work towards vivifying your facial glow. It works as a robust exfoliator, removing dead skin cells from the face, whereas milk is a powerful exfoliant.

13.Sandalwood and Rose Water

This is a highly effective method to cure pimples and acne, alongside tanning. 

Application:

• Blend 2 tablespoons of pure sandalwood powder along with 3-5 tablespoons of rose water to make it into a slurry-like-paste.
• Apply the paste to your face for 60-90 minutes and rinse it off with cold water.

Why does this work?

As previously said, sandalwood is best-known for its rejuvenating properties that hydrate the face. Sandalwood, when paired with rose water, ameliorates the appearance of the skin. Both the ingredients together work to smoothen your skin. 

14.Besan, Yoghurt and Turmeric

A remedy that is incorporated in every household, this is a sureshot way to remove tan from your face.

Application:

• Stir 1 tablespoon of turmeric and besan along with 2 tablespoons of yoghurt.
• Gradually rub the paste on your face for 3 minutes and allow it to dry for an additional 30 minutes.
• Exfoliate with the dried paste and rinse it off with water.

Why does this work?

Besan, or gram flour, aids in the removal of tan and the lightening of skin tone. It minimises excess oil and keeps blemishes at bay. Turmeric slows the ageing process, improves the suppleness of your skin, and cures discoloration. It also helps to reduce unbalanced skin complexion and harshness. Yogurt includes lactic acid as well as other alpha hydroxy acids, helping hydrate and scrub the skin, leaving it supple and glowing. It also has modest bleaching capabilities that might help to lighten skin discolouration and ageing spots. Yogurt also aids in the prevention of breakouts.

15. Strawberry and Milk Cream

Yet another rich source of Vitamin C, strawberries make lifeless skin radiant and soft.

Application:

• Blend a mashed strawberry with milk cream so that it forms a paste.
• Apply the mixture and gently massage it on your face.
• leave it for 30 minutes and rinse it off with water.

Why does this work?

Strawberries have properties that act as a shield from UV exposure and slow the ageing process. Anecdotal research says they have a whitening influence on the skin that might aid in the removal of tan.

DONTS WHILE SEEKING TAN REMOVAL

• Going out in the sun often for an extended period
• Using sunbeds or fake tan sprays
• Applying too much makeup on the affected area
• Scratching on the sunburnt skin

These simple solutions will not only help you get rid of your suntan but will also help in moisturising and maintaining the glow on your skin. For maximum result make sure to repeat these scrubs and routines every two weeks.